Read the full stored bill text
89(R) SB 1538 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 1538
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on digital court reporting conducted by the
Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Digital court reporting" means the act of making
a verbatim record of an oral court proceeding, deposition, or
proceeding before a grand jury, referee, or court commissioner for
use in litigation in the courts of this state through the use of
digital technology, electronic recording equipment, or other
recording and transcribing technology.
(2) "Office" means the Office of Court Administration
of the Texas Judicial System.
SECTION 2. DIGITAL COURT REPORTING STUDY. The office shall
conduct a study on digital court reporting, including:
(1) an evaluation of the current use of digital court
reporting in the courts of this state, including the cost, access,
accuracy, and effectiveness of digital court reporting;
(2) an analysis of the use of digital court reporting
in other states and jurisdictions; and
(3) recommendations on any necessary changes to
statutes, rules, regulations, or standards regarding the use of
digital court reporting in this state.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2026, the
office shall submit a report on the study conducted under this Act
to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the
legislature.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2025.